RIBA, also known as the Royal Institute of British Architects, has recently hired ex-BBC journalist Marsha Ramroop as its first-ever Director of Inclusion & Diversity.

Marsha has already started tackling injustice, systemic racism, and discrimination by proposing a number of policies at RIBA, enlisting the institute into a black hair anti-discrimination code called Halo, and introducing other initiatives that seek to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. These groups include LGBTQ+, race and religion, women, socio-economic diversity, younger people and older people, and disability.

To help address the structural and ideological reasons for discrimination, Marsha intends to implement cultural intelligence (CQ) into her grand plan — starting by assessing all of RIBA staff’s cultural intelligence levels. Marsha points to the success of Avon and Somerset Police, which has proclaimed itself the first ‘culturally intelligent’ police force in the UK. 

Marsha summarizes her initiatives by stating: 

“These structures and ills of discrimination that dog our lives are centuries in the making. We will not solve this overnight; it’s a journey, and there is a lot of stuff to unpick. There are no quick fixes. We all need to take responsibility.“

Marsha has big plans for RIBA. You can learn more about her plans and advice for improving inclusion in the workplace in the article linked below!

Read Full Article: Profile: Marsha Ramroop, RIBA’s first-ever head of diversity

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Marsha Ramroop, Director of Inclusion & Diversity, RIBA, Founder Director, Unheard Voice Consultancy Ltd